Still no sign of “Speedy” at Ticats camp

Hamilton Tiger-Cats head coach Kent Austin says he doesn’t know when his star special teams player Brandon Banks will arrive at training camp.

“I don’t have an update on him yet, no,” said Austin.

And when asked by a reporter if he had talked with Banks, Austin said “we have missed each other but we are in communication with his family.”

The 28-year-old Banks has been on Hamilton’s suspended list since the start of camp on May 29 to deal with what Austin has called “family issues.”

But Austin did say that Banks himself is okay.

“Our approach has been to prepare our football team with the players that are here and if he’s back sooner than expected, great, if it takes longer than expected then we took the right approach,” Austin said.

The fourth year Ticats coach says they have to “make sure that we’re a competitive football team that gives our players a chance to win when we line up in real games.”

The 5’7″, 153 pound North Carolinian returned four punts for touchdowns in 2015, one away from tying the CFL’s single season record, and was named the CFL’s special teams player of the year in 2015.

He also averaged 17.4 yards per kick return, ran the ball 20 times for 87 yards and a TD, and also caught 22 passes for 220 yards and a major.

Hamilton kicks off its preseason schedule this Saturday afternoon against the Toronto Argonauts at the newly renovated BMO Field.

After the game, fans can listen to The 5th Quarter on AM900 CHML, online at 900chml.com and on the CHML App.